Safeguards for Summer Youth Camps

Beginning July 6, youth day camps, including municipal summer programs, will be able to operate as long as they comply with required social distancing and other mitigation policies. Residential and overnight camps are prohibited from operating. To help protect the health and safety of our children, camp workers, and communities against the spread of COVID-19, the Cape May County Department of Health has released the following guidelines for youth summer camps:

• Campers and staff must be screened for fever or signs of COVID-19 illness prior to being permitted to enter the facility or participating in camp programming. People who have a fever or other signs of illness should not be admitted to the camp.
• Campers and staff members should be educated on steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• Groups should include the same children each day with the same staff person, if possible. Mixing between groups should be restricted. Camps should avoid communal dining and stagger meal times to ensure social distancing of groups. Surfaces should be cleaned and sanitized between each meal service.
• Staffers are encouraged to wear cloth masks while working unless (1) doing so would inhibit the person’s health, (2) the person is in extreme heat outdoors, or (3) the person is in water.
• Cloth face coverings for staff and campers should be worn when social distancing of 6 feet between assigned groups cannot be maintained. Cloth face coverings should not be put on children under age two because of the danger of suffocation.
• All youth camps are prohibited from off-site activities, engaging in full-contact sports and providing resident or overnight camp activities.
• Hand wash and hand sanitizers stations should be provided in numerous areas around the camp.
• Common surfaces and rooms should be cleaned at least daily, including restrooms and countertops.
• Gloves should be worn when handling or serving food to campers.
• Social distancing is encouraged during busing/transportation to and from camp. Vehicles should be cleaned and disinfected between each use. Face coverings should be worn when social distancing can't be maintained.